Well pumping unit



May 26, 1936.

Fild Deo. 6, 1933 c. J. wou-" WELL PUMPING UNIT 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 RNEYS.

M85' 26, 1936- c. J. wom-Fv y WELL PUMPING UNIT Filed Dec. 6; 1933 v 3Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

GJM/01H7.. @www Patented May 26, 1936 PATENT OFFICE -WELL PUMPING UNITCharles J. Woll, San Antonio, Tex. Application December 6, 1933, SerialNo. '101;203

11 Claims. (Cl. 10B-260) This invention relates to novel improvements incasing ow pumps and more especially to an improved pump utilizing liquidunder pressure as the actuating medium for raising liquids from wellsthrough the annular space between the well casing and the string oftubing therein. t

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a single unit casingflow pump especially adapted to be used in very deep oil wells buthaving distinct advantages for shallower oil wells of relatively smallvolume of production.

Another object is to furnish a multiple unit casing flow pump for oilwells of relatively large volume of production.

Another object is to supply an improved pump whereby a novel method ofcasing ow for oil wells may be practiced.

Other purposes of this invention are: To provide efficient. equipmentfor raising liquids from wells; to use a flow method employing asubstitute for the power which other methods must use to lift the wellliquid to the surface; and to entirely eliminate high air or gaspressures and their 4 accompanying hazard risks. l

My improved pump makes possible the use of a unique and new method ofcasing flow of wells, more especially oil wells. The invention uses thesame general principle of operation as used with the pump covered by myprior Patent No.

1,939,751 of Dec, 19, 1933; said patent, however,4

covering an invention designed specifically for tubing flow and not forcasing ilow.

With the foregoing.objects outlined and with other objects in -viewwhich will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists inthe novel features hereinafter described in detail, illustrated in theaccompanying drawings and more especially `pointed out in the appended-claims:

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a Vertical diametrical sectional view, partly in elevation ofmy improved pump.

Fig. 2 is a similar enlarged View of a portion Aof the structure shownin Fig. 1 but with the induction tube and eduction tubes shown invertical section, sa1d View being taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. p

Figs. 3, 4, and 6 are transverse sectional views taken respectively onthe lines 3 3, 4--4, 5-5 and 6--6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation partly in vertical section of the upper orsurface portion of my improved apparatus. p

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but taken at a different angle tomoreclearly illustrate parts not fully shown in Fig. 2.

To facilitate an understanding of the following detailed description, itmay be stated that the tubing string will be referred to as an inductionconduit; the annular space between the induction conduit and the wellcasing, as an eduction conduit"; and the operative force being a liquidunder pressure, as an actuating liquid.

It may be also stated that it is a commonly known fact an oil well mayproduce either or both water and gas with the oil, therefore, whateverthe well produces, whether one or both of the above specied liquids withor without accompanying gas, will be referred to as well production.

Referring to the drawings, I designates the pump shell having internalthreads at both ends thereof. 2 designates a swaged nipple alsohavinginternal threads at both ends thereof. The upper end of the shelland the lower enlarged end of 'said nipple have a screw threadedconnection with external threads on a cup 3 from which liquid may flowupwardly through elongated ports II provided in the nipple.

Another swaged nipple 5 has an enlarged upper end screwed into the lowerend of the shell. An induction tube 6 is provided for leading theactuating liquid into a chamber 1 which is formed by an inverted cupconsisting of a top 8 and a cylindrical wall 9, and by a bottom Il). Thebottom It consists of a. plate having a portion screwed into theinverted cup. The upper Surface of the part Ill may be flat,saucer-shape or saucer-shape with a conical concave sided elevation .'Iain the center thereof. The last mentioned shape is preferred because aconical concave curved surface on the elevation 1a facilitates indeecting the actuating liquid upwardly.

An annular ball valve cage I I depends from the part ID and cooperateswith a ball valve I2.

Eduction tubes I3 lead from the chamber 'I to the interior of the cup 3for conducting the l actuating liquid andwell production upwardly intosaid cup, whence said actuating liquid and well production pass throughsaid slots 4 into the eduction conduit.

A disc I4 is screwed into the lower end of the shell I and has acen'trally disposed port I5 controlled by the valve I2 which seats uponthe seat y against the bottom of the part I0 for reinforcing the latterand holdingthe same in position.

It will be noted that the induction tube 6 has a threaded connection atI8 with the bottom of the cup 3 and that said induction tube extendsdownwardly through the top 8 of the chamber 1, so as to cooperate,through chamber 1, with the eduction tubes I3. Each of the tubes I3 maybe made in one piece but a three-piece construction is much preferred,in order that a thimble I9 having a small hole 28a in its top may bethreadedly connected to the lower end of the tube for the purpose ofaccurately adjusting the thimble relatively to the lateral ports 20 ofthe tube as well as to the flared portion I3a of the bore of the tube.Lock washers 34 are screwed into the lower ends ofthe tubes I3 for thepurpose of holding the thimbles I9 in adjustment. To facilitateassembling and dismantling, each eduction tube i3 has shoulders 2| and22 at its upper and lower end portions respectively to abut against theparts 3 and 8. In order to effectively hold the tubes in place screws 23(best shown in Fig. 8) connect the parts 3 and 8, and it may be seenfrom Fig. 2 that the induction tube 6 has a shoulder 24 which is held intight engagement with the part 8 when the screws 23 are tightened. 'I'henut 25 may be screwed onto the lower end of the tube 6 to further assuretight joints, and at this point it will be observed that packinggasketsmay be employed wherever necessary to prevent leakage.

In the accompanying figures, the relatively large open ends of thimblesI9 (which open ends connect with chamber 1) are shown to be trulycylindrical in shape, that is having circular walls with flat tops.'I'he circular Walls are always retained ,but the tops may be coneshaped, that is tapered upwardly from the lateral circular walls to thesmall holes 28a in the tops thereof; or the said tops may be curvedcycloidally, convexing downward from the small holes 28a.

The upper end portion of the tube 6 passes through a packing gasket 26,and packing gland 21 is screwed into the reduced upper end portion ofthe swaged nipple 2 to prevent leakage around tube 6.

It will be noted that the actuating liquid in passing from chamber l tothe flared portions I3a of the bores of the tubes I3 must go throughrelatively large passageways 28 in the thimbles I9, through the smallholes or orices 28a in the tops o`f the thimbles, and then through portsor throats 29 positioned at the lower ends of the flared portions I3a.

39 designates ports which permit the well pro-l duction to pass from theball valve chamber into the annular space just within the shell I, andsurrounding parts I'|, i0, and 8, which annular space leads to therelatively large open spaces surrounding tubes I3, thereby providingunobstructed open passages to the lateral open ports 20, which openports provide entrance way for the well production into the throats 29of eduction tubes I3.

3| designates the well tubing and 32 a conventional packer for shuttingoff the space between the tubing and casing below the pump proper.

The lower end of the tubing string or induction conduit is secured tothe part 2 by screw threads as shown at 33.

35 designates the well casing, and from Fig. 1 it will be noted that theactuating liquid may be forced by a pump 36 through a pipe 40 into theinduction conduit 3 I. From Fig. 1 it will be noted that said liquidwill be forced from induction conduit 3| through tube 6, into chamber 1,from which chamber it is forced through thimbles I9, into and throughtubes I3, into swaged nipple 2,

through openings 4 in said nipple, into the eduction conduit, out ofwhich said eduction conduit said liquid will be forced through pipe 38(Fig. 7) into supply tank 39. A valved bypass pipe 32a will allow theactuating medium to bypass the pump when feasible.

'Ihe pump proper in accordance with this invention may be readilyassembled or dismantled. From Fig. 2 it may be seen that the cup 3 maybe first screwed into position on the tube 6 by means oi' the threadsI8. The eduction tubes I3 with their thimbles I9 properly positioned inrelation to the lateral ports 20 are then introduced into the holes inthe bottom of the cup 3 until the shoulders 2| come into engagement withsaid bottom. The inverted cup 8 9 is then positioned, the lower ends ofthe tubes I3 being inserted into holes provided therefor in head 8, andthen the clamp bolts 23 are inserted in order to secure the parts 3 and8 9 firmly together. Nut 25 is then screwed on to the lower end of thepart 6 thus further providing against possible leakage, and addingrigidity to the partial assembly. Part I0 is then screwed into positionand the shell I is connected to the part 3, then ball valve I2 is placedin its cage II and the valve seat member I4 is screwed into the lowerend of the shell. Then the lower swaged nipple 5 and the upper swagednipple 2 are screwed respectively into connection with the parts I and3, and finally the stuffing box packing 26 is put in place and thepacking gland 2'I is rmly tightened to prevent leakage therethrough.Afterwards the assembly may be readily introduced between sections ofthe tubing string.

Obviously the pump is designed to be connected into the tubing string ofan oil well and generally at such place in the tubing string that thepump will be below the static head of the well when the tubing string ispositioned in the well. 'I'he tubing string is either set on a lead (orother suitable) seal or a packer (32 Fig. l) is used, or both packer andlead seal may be used, to seal oil' all communication between the insideof the induction conduit'and the eduction conduit except as providedforv through said pump. The tubing string extends through the casinghead at the top of the well with the usual and approved low pressureleak proof fittings.

With the above connections made and the bypass 32a open, it is necessarybefore operation is started that liquid be supplied into the tank 39until said liquid stands above the casing head level and/or the pipeconnecting tank 39 to circulating pump 33. As liquid is supplied intothe tank it is evident that said liquid will, by the force oi' gravity,iill the induction and eduction conduits in the well.

To initiate flowing operations, with the pump installed, surfaceconnection made, and liquid Supplied into tank as specified, the gatevalve in the bypass 32a must be closed and the circulating pump 36started. Said circulating pumpv will force actuating liquid into theinduction conduit 3| in the well thus causing simultaneous downwardmovement of liquid throughout the length of the induction conduit, forcesaid liquid into and through said pump, but within said pump (in throats29 opposite the inner ends of lateral Openings 20 in tubes I3 of saidpump) the actuating liq'uid combines with Athe well production and theforce applied by the circulating pump acting on said liquid aided by therock pressure of the well forces the combined actuating liquid and wellproduction upwardly out of said pump intp the eduction conduit and on upand out of the well. ,The weight of the liquid being forced downwardlyin the induction conduit balances the inating a possible few feet oflift between the level of the liquid in the tank and the end of thedis-V charge pipe at the top of the tank if I discharge pipe be soinstalled) the only energy thatV is required to flow a well with myinvention is the "lost energy of motion, lost ,in friction anddislvsipated atthe discharge.. AThese losses are inevitable in any method offlowing wells. But in addition to the lost-energy of motion which mustbe supplied by all methods of flowing wells,

methods other than mine must supply energy to` lift the well liquid.This lifting energy, which is stupendous in amount, is not required whenmy invention is used.

The method I use for getting the well production out of an oil well isnovel and unique in that it does not lift the liquid out of the well bymeans of extraneously supplied power. The surface equipment, alreadyexplained, operative with my invention supplies a descending liquidstream into the well through the induction conduit 3| within the well,and said liquid balances an ascendingv stream of` liquid coming up outof the well through the eduction conduit therein. That is, in a wellproducing no gas, the two streams of liquid have the same per squareinch. weight, one balancing the other, and the operating power requiredis the power necessary to produce the desired movement, not to lift.ducing gas, the gas will reduce the amount of power required to flow thewell, and the reducf tion will be in proportion to the amount the gasreduces the per square inch weight of the col of liquid coming up out ofthe well.

The explanation in the foregoing paragraph is to clearly set out that mymethod of flowing an oil well makes to liquids a novel application Vofthe principle of the lever; the pump is the fulcrum; the arms of thelever are the induction and the .eduction columns of liquid and areequal in length; the sq. in. weight' of liquidV in the eduction conduiton one side of the fulcrum and the sq. in. weight of the liquid in theinduction conduit on the other side of the fulcrum areV the weights.When neither liquid is aerated, assuming the same specific gravity, theweights are equal and the lever is balanced. If the liquid in theeduction conduit is'` aerated by gas from the well the lever isunbalanced because the sq. in. weight lof the liquid in the veductionconduit is reduced. Any application of power to the liquid in theinduction conduit also unbalances the lever and in 'either of these twounbalanced conditions at least a slight movement would be started fromthe induction to the eduction conduit. By the application of power(pressure) through means of the circulating pump, this movement ofliquid from the induction to the eduction conduit, can be perfectlycontrolled and regulated to obtain the greatest efficiency in operation.The combining of the actuating liquid and the well .production isaccomplished in throats 29 of tubes I3 by the hydraulic principle thatthe actuating liquid (liq- In a well pro- I uid under pressure) beingforced through orifices 28a produces somewhat contracted jets (venacontractas) in throats 29 opposite the inner ends of passages 29, andcreates low pressure areas between said jets and the walls of throats 29at 5 inner ends of passages 20. These low pressure areas act throughopen passages 20, thence downwardly. relieving the pressure above valveI2. The rock pressure oi the well from below valve I2 then raises saidvalve and supplies wellpro-4l 1n duction into the low pressure areas inthroats 29 where said well production contacts the actuating liquid, andtogether with said liquid passes intol flared bore Iaa oi' tubes I3, onthrough swaged nipple 2 into the eduction conduit, and on up and l5 outof the well. It should be noted in this connection that the said lowpressure areas within the throats 29, passages and downwardly therefrom,would approach infinitely near an absolute vacuum if no well productionwas supplied by the 20 rock pressure of the well, consequentlythiscondition would pull (by the principle of vacuum suction) Athe wellproduction from several feet below valve I2, if the rock pressure of thewell was not suiiicient to elevate the well production to the levelofthe throats 29, and the well production so "pulled would combine withthe circulating liquid in tubes I3 and be taken out of the well,similarly toy themanner already described.

When my apparatus is used to raise liquids from wells, the flow startsgently, is continuous throughout the flowing period, and is without anysemblance of violence; resembling in appearance the natural flow of anartesian water well.

From the foregoing it is believed that the con- 1 struction of. myimproved apparatus and the steps from the spirit of the invention asexpressed in 4o the claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A well pumping apparatus, comprising a tubing string, an inductionchamber into which an actuating liquid from said string discharges,

a casing surrounding said tubing and forming an eduction conduit, tubesplacing said induction chamber in communication with said eductionconduit, eachv of said tubes having a Venturi shaped vbore and lateralports for leading well production into the throat thereof, means forforcing said actuating liquid downwardly through said tubing string,means for discharging combined actuating liquid and Well production fromthe upper end portion of said eduction conduit, and valve controlledmeans for feeding well production from the well to said lateral ports.

2. A well pumping apparatus, comprising a tubing string, an inductionchamber into which an actuating liquid from said string discharges, acasing surrounding said tubing and forming an eduction conduit, tubesplacing said induction chamber in communication with said eductionconduit, each of said tubes having a, Venturi shaped bore and lateralports for leading Well productionY into the throat thereof, means forforcing said actuating liquid downwardly through said tubing string,means for discharging combined actuating liquid and well production fromthc upper endportion of said eduction conduit, and adjustable thimbles.positioned between said chamber and the throats of saidbores. f

3. A well pumping apparatus, -comprising a tubing string, an inductionchamber into which 75 an actuating liquid from said string discharges, acasing surrounding said tubing and forming an eduction conduit, tubesplacing said induction chamber in communication with said eductionconduit, each of said tubes having a Venturi shaped bore and lateralports for leading well production into the throat thereof, means forforcing said actuating liquid downwardly through said tubing string, andmeans for discharging combined actuating liquid and well production fromthe upper end portion of said eduction con-.- duit, said chamber havinga bottom provided with a saucer-shaped upper surface provided at itscenter with an upwardly projecting cone having its peak coaxial with theaxis of the tubing string.-

4. A well pumping apparatus comprising a tubing string forming aninduction conduit, a casing string surrounding the tubing string andforming an eduction conduit, a pump unit interposed in the tubingstring, and a packing means for sealing oif the eduction conduit betweenthe tubing string and casing string below said pumping unit, said unitcomprising a shell, an eduction cup, eduction tubes, an inductionchamber and a valve chamber positioned in the shell in superposedrelation in the order named, each of said eduction tubes having aVenturi shaped bore with lateral ports for leading well production intothe throat thereof, means in the shell for passing well production fromthe valve chamber to said ports, an induction tube leading from theportion of the tubing string above said unit into said inductionchamber, means for forcing an actuating liquid into the tubing stringabove said unit, and means for discharging combined actuating liquid andwell production from the eduction conduit at a point above said unit.

5. A well pumping apparatus comprising a tubing string forming aninduction conduit, a casing string surrounding the tubing string andforming an eduction conduit, a pump unit interposed in the tubingstring, and a packing means for sealing off the eduction conduit betweenthe tubing string and casing string below said pumping unit, said unitcomprising a shell, an eduction cup, eduction tubes, an inductionchamber and a valve chamber positioned in the shell in superposedrelation in the order named, each of said eduction tubes having aVenturi shaped bore with lateral ports for leading well production intothe throat thereof, means in the shell for passing well production fromthe valve chamber to said ports, an induction tube leading from theportion of the tubing string above said unit into said inductionchamber, means for forcing an actuating liquid into the tubing stringabove said unit, and means for discharging combined actuating liquid andwell production from the eduction conduit at a point above said unit,said eduction chamber comprising a cup secured to the upper end portionof said shell.

6. A well pumping apparatus comprising a tubing string forming aninduction conduit, a casing string surrounding the tubing string andforming an eduction conduit, a pump unit interposed in the tubingstring, and a packing means for sealing off the eduction conduit betweenthe tubing string and casing string below said pumping unit, said unitcomprising a shell, an eduction cup, eduction tubes, an inductionchamber and a valve chamber positioned in the shell in superposedrelation in the order named, each of said eduction tubes having aVenturi shaped bore with lateral ports'for leading well production intothe throat thereof, means in the shell for passing well production fromthe valve chamber to said ports, an induction tube leading from theportion of the tubing string above said unit into said inductionchamber, means for forcing an actuating liquid into the tubing stringabove said unit, and means for discharging combined actuating liquid andwell production from the eduction conduit at a point above said unit,said eduction chamber comprising a` swaged nipple connected at its upperportion to the tubing string and provided with apertures leading intosaid eduction conduit.

7. A well pumping apparatus comprising a tubing string forming aninduction conduit, a casing string surrounding the tubing string andforming an eduction conduit, a pumping' unit interposed in the tubingstring, and a packing means for sealing off the eduction conduit betweenthe tubing string and casing string below said pumping unit, said unitcomprising a shell, an eduction cup, eduction tubes, an inductionchamber and a valve chamber positioned in the shell in superposedrelation in the order named, each of said eduction tubes having aVenturi shaped bore with lateral ports for leading well production intothe throat thereof, means in the shell for passing Well production fromthe valve chamber to said ports, an induction tube leading from theportion of the tubing string above said unit into said inductionchamber, means for forcing an actuating liquid into the tubing stringabove said unit, and means for discharging combined actuating liquid andwell production from the eduction conduit at a point above said unit,

each of said eduction tubes being provided at its lower end with avertically adjustable nipple having an aperture in its top.

8. A well pumping apparatus comprising a tubing string forming aninduction conduit, a casing string surrounding the tubing string andforming an eduction conduit, a pumping unit interposed in the tubingstring, and a packing means for sealing off the eduction conduit betweenthe tubing string and casing string below said pumping unit, said unitcomprising a shell, an eduction cup, eduction tubes, an inductionchamber and a valve chamber positioned in the shell in superposedrelation in the order named, each of said eduction tubes having aVenturi shaped bore with lateral ports for leading well production intothe throat thereof, means in the shell for passing well production fromthe valve chamber to said ports, an induction tube leading from the.portion of the tubing string above said unit into said inductionchamber, means for forcing an actuating liquid into the tubing stringabove said unit, and means for discharging combined actuating liquid andwell production from the eduction conduit at a point above said unit,said induction chamber consisting of an inverted cup having a removableplug closing its lower end.

9. A well pumping apparatus comprising a, tubing string forming aninduction conduit, a casing string surrounding the tubing string andforming an eduction conduit, a pumping unit interposed in the tubingstring, and a packing means for sealing oif the eduction conduit betweenthe tubing string and casing string below said pumping unit, said unitcomprising a shell, an eduction cup, eduction tubes, an inductionchamber and a valve chamber positioned in the shell in superposedrelation in the order named, each of said eduction tubes having aVenturi shaped bore with lateral ports for leading well production intothe throat thereof, means in the shell for passing well production fromthe valve chamber to said ports, an induction tube leading from theportion of the tubing'string above said unit into said inductionchamber, means for forcing an actuating liquid into the tubing stringabove said unit, and means yfor discharging combined actuating liquidand well production from the eduction conduit at a point above saidunit, said valve chamber having a perforated wall and a valve cage.

10. A well pumping apparatus comprising a tubing string forming aninduction conduit, a

casing string surrounding the tubing string andv forming an eductionconduit, a pumping unit interposed in the tubing string, and a packing.means for sealing off the eduction conduit between the tubing stringand casing string below said pumping unit, said unit comprising a shell,an eduction cup, eduction tubes, an induction chamber and a Valvechamber positioned in the shell in superposed relation in the ordernamed, each of said eduction tubes having a Venturi shaped bore withlateral ports for leading well production into the throat thereof, meansin the shell for passing well production from the valve chamber to saidports, an induction tube leading from the portion of the tubing stringabove said unit into said induction chamber, means for forcing anactuating liquid into the tubing string above said unit, and meansfor-discharging-combined actuating liquid and well production from theeductlon conduit at a point above said unit, said valve chamber havinginlet and outlet ports and a ball valve, closing the inlet port.

11. A well pumping apparatus comprising a shell, a cup detachablyconnected to the upper end oi the shell, a swaged nipple detachablyconnected to the cup and provided with apertures for discharging iiuidfrom the cup, an inverted cup arranged in the shell below the rstmentloned cup, tubes arranged between said cups and t having Venturishaped bores placing the interiors of the cups in communicationmeanssecuring the cups together for holding the tubes in assembled relationtherewith, a plug closing the -lower end of the inverted cup and formingwith chamber, said wall, plug and inverted cup being

